Largest Roman mosaic opens to the public

A colossal Roman mosaic, the largest ever discovered in the Roman world, has been unveiled to the public for the first time. This remarkable find was made during excavations in the 1990s beneath the Baths of Trajan, an extensive imperial leisure complex that included libraries and bathing pools. The mosaic, known as the “Painted City” fresco, has since opened to the public on weekends, starting with groups of 15 people. From October 2nd, the site will be accessible from Friday to Sunday.

The unveiling of the historic site was celebrated by Rome's Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, who shared the news on Instagram. According to CNN, archaeologist Francesco Pacetti revealed at the unveiling that the mosaic and accompanying fresco are believed to be from the first century. The fresco depicts a walled port city with defensive walls and towers, while the mosaic, measuring ten meters in height and stretching along 16 meters of wall beneath the Oppian Hill near the Colosseum, showcases figures and architectural structures across four distinct levels.

Gualtieri described the fresco as an "extraordinary fresco, a real city seen from above, with its walls, towers and buildings depicted in perspective." He also noted that the mosaic was created during the Neronian or Flavian era, before the Baths of Trajan were inaugurated in 109 AD. The mayor went on to mention another remarkable piece: the "Muse and the Philosopher" mosaic, part of a grand theatrical scene on the walls of a large hall overlooking a nymphaeum.

The site has been enhanced with an on-site museum, a result of the PNRR-Caput Mundi programme, a €500 million project funded by the European Union. This museum complex is dedicated to the Baths of Trajan and offers a glimpse into the extraordinary history of Rome. The discovery of this once-in-a-lifetime mosaic, alongside objects from the Roman to medieval period, took place on a building site across the river from ancient Londinium.